Pressure groups are organized associations, unions, or organizations of people having common interests. They aim to seek better conditions for their members through organized efforts. They try to influence the legislature, executive, and other decision-makers to make favorable decisions. 

 The state of pressure groups in India constitutes an important dimension of the study of politics because the primary objective of any pressure group is to influence the government on a specific public policy issue or problem. Pressure groups do not contest elections and they may not have political programmes. Pressure groups informally attempt to influence the government on a specific public policy issue of a section of society. Freedom of association is generally found in all democratic societies. 

This is required to identify and promote common interests or well-being of the people through collective activities. This is regarded as the basic factor which tends to the establishment of pressure groups. So, pressure groups play a crucial role in interest formation and interest aggregation. Pressure groups play a mediatory role between the people and the government. They balance the national interest and the interest of individuals. Generally, the interests of the common people are not organized. 

Some prominent Examples of Pressure groups in India are-

Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU): Represents the interests of farmers, especially in northern India.

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS): A Hindu nationalist organization that influences policies through its affiliates like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Indian Medical Association (IMA): Represents doctors and medical professionals in India.

Bar Council of India: Governs the legal profession and represents lawyers’ interests.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE): Works on environmental issues and sustainable development.

Amnesty International India: Focuses on human rights issues in India.